shakari,

You are probably right about the speed sensitivity of the Barnes bullets, and I firmly believe that is a universal constant for all bullets. I tried the 300gr at two speeds, 2670 fps and around 2900 fps, I hunted with it at both speeds and had identical results (caliber sized holes just like a solid). Digging bullets our of loose sand back stops showed shed pedals at velocities down to 2400 fps with the 325gr. I understand that this isn't necessarily the same thing as what may happen in a game animal, but considering that the 400gr Hornady bullets recovered were nicely expanded I figured more than likely that the Barnes bullets were shedding the pedals and then behaving like solids.

In any event my 416 was never very accurate with any of the Barned bullets (like 2.5 to 3 MOA) that fact coupled with my bad experiences with them on game and I gave them up. Actually, I don't use the Rigby for anything any more than recoil conditioning and plinking, the 500 is just so much better. Eventually, I will rebore this old Ruger RSM and make it a 500 A^2 or something esle equally useful.

What have been your experience with the PPSP Woodleighs in your 500 Jeffery? I haven't shot too many, but they seem very tough and do not expand on body hits unless one is driving them through heavy bone. My initial desire for using them was head shots on buffalo, which tend to tear up the standard 535 gr and 570 gr Woodleigh SN pretty good. My load is a 600 gr PPSP at ~ 2300 fps.

Regards,
Scott